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But the alternative was to not have sex with Adam again, so…
Jules decided right then and there that she could afford a little dose of humiliation with that carrot dangling in front of her.
She ripped into the wrapper, tearing it off like a kid with a Christmas present. “I am only 75 percent prepared. Don’t judge me. They didn’t cover this in Girl Scouts.”
His laugh rolled through the room, foreplay all on its own. “Never a dull moment.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” She finally freed the box and yanked out a condom. Or, rather, she yanked out a string of a dozen condoms. Jules held it up, feeling sheepish. “How are we looking for an hour’s worth of time?”
Just like that, the amusement was gone from Adam’s face, replaced by desire. “Why don’t you get that sweet ass of yours over here and find out?”
Lord, but she was more than happy to do exactly that.Chapter Twelve“You’re going out with the Rodriguez girl again, aren’t you?”
Adam paused in the middle of shoving a bottle of wine into a backpack. There was absolutely no reason to feel guilty. Jules knew this was temporary. Hell, if anyone should feel hurt, it was him, because it seemed like every time he turned around, she was going on about making a scene and creating a scandal. That was her focus, not falling head over heels for him. But none of that stopped the slow turn of his stomach when he straightened to face his mama. “Yeah.”
She searched his face, her brown eyes somehow seeming faded, like a part of her had already given up. “Good.”
He blinked. “What?”
“You’ve got two ears in your head, son. You heard me just fine.” She turned around and wobbled to the recliner. “Jules is a good girl.”
He followed, still half sure he’d heard her wrong. “Which is exactly the reason you told me to stay the hell away from her before this point.”
“Maybe things have changed.”
“Nothing’s changed.” He helped her sit down. There had been another doctor’s appointment this morning, and, like all the others, she wouldn’t let him come with her. He tried really hard not to resent his mama’s decision, but it was a chicken bone stuck in his throat. It wasn’t like he didn’t know exactly how bad things were. Hearing it from the doctor firsthand wouldn’t change anything.
Except maybe it would. Maybe it would make everything a whole hell of a lot more real. Maybe I’d lose my shit.
Or maybe there’d be some avenue to pursue that my mama refuses to try.
He looked at the backpack he’d been stuffing with things for his date with Jules, suddenly feeling like the lowest piece of shit in existence. “I don’t have to go.”
“Adam—”
“You’re right. I shouldn’t. I’ll go get us some dinner and we’ll watch that chick flick you’ve been tittering about with Lenora—the one with that guy who writes letters to his girlfriend while he’s away at war.” It sounded boring as hell, but it wasn’t about what he wanted.
Her hand on his arm stopped him, her grip surprisingly strong. “No.”
“But, Mama—”
“No.” She shook her head. “I love you, my boy, but you can’t stop living just because I’m sick. You’re here for me and that’s all that matters. Go take your girl out, show her a good time, get into a little trouble. Live.”
He looked down at her, recognizing the stubborn set of her mouth. It was the same one he saw in the mirror when he’d made a decision he wouldn’t be swayed from. She wanted him out of the house tonight and going to spend time with Jules. He might not get her reasons, but he wasn’t going to be able to change her mind. “If you’re sure.”
“I am. Lenora is coming over. We want to cuddle and critique the movie alone.” Her expression softened into a small smile. “It would be a dreadfully boring night for you.”
“Time spent with you is anything but boring.”
Her eyes shone a little. “Baby, you’re the best son a woman could ask for.”
“Yeah, well, I had the best mama a boy could dream of.” And if he didn’t get the fuck out of here, the barbed ball of emotion in his chest might actually break free. He’d done a damn good job of keeping it locked down since he found out she was sick, and he had no intention of letting it out anytime soon. He covered her hand with his and squeezed. “You call me if you need anything.”
“I will.”
There was nothing left to do but leave. Adam zipped up the backpack and walked out the front door without looking back. He’d learned a long time ago that a final glance over his shoulder was a great way to have regrets dogging his heels every step of the way.
